Published: Saturday, April 19, 2014 at 8:33 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, April 19, 2014 at 8:33 p.m.

Some kids, however, will find that the Easter Bunny left them something extra, a live rabbit, which can cause problems for families who don’t initially realize the upkeep and expense of raising such a pet.

“If a child is mature enough for a rabbit, they make wonderful pets. But if they’re not, it’s not a good choice,” said Collette Waters, Louisiana Rabbit Breeder’s Association vice president. “People don’t realize that rabbits have a lifespan of about 10 years, and they need to be constantly taken care of. They have to be groomed, their ears have to be cleaned, their fur brushed, their nails trimmed. It takes time.”

Every year starting just a few weeks after Easter Sunday, local animal shelters begin receiving calls of rabbits in need of homes after their host family realizes the pets don’t fit their lifestyle.

“We get calls after Easter asking us to take in rabbits that people bought as gifts and then realized the amount of upkeep and time and expense needed to care for them,” said Tracy Lapeyrouse, director of My Heart’s Desire animal shelter in Houma.

Owners may also abandon the rabbits when they find they grow from 2 pounds up to 20 pounds, depending on the breed, Waters said.

Smaller breeds can live in a 2-foot by 2-foot cage, she said, “but a giant breed would need a cage that’s at least 7 feet long because they can grow to be over 22 inches long. Same thing with their food intake. If you’ve got a small breed, they eat around 3 ounces of food a day, but the larger breeds eat up to 12 ounces. It’s like breeds of dogs. You have to consider what breed of rabbit you’re buying,” she said.

Not everyone is against giving a rabbit for Easter.

“My kids received a rabbit as an Easter gift, and I don’t think it’s a bad idea to give them to kids as long as you talk to their parents first and get permission because they will likely be the ones taking care of the rabbit. My kids love theirs,” said Carol Price of Gray.

Staff Writer Jordan Gribble can be reached at 857-2208 or jordan.gribble@houmatoday.com. Follow him on Twitter @JGrib_Courier.

<p>When kids open their Easter baskets today, they'll probably find plastic eggs filled with jelly beans, toys and chocolates. </p><p>Some kids, however, will find that the Easter Bunny left them something extra, a live rabbit, which can cause problems for families who don't initially realize the upkeep and expense of raising such a pet.</p><p>“If a child is mature enough for a rabbit, they make wonderful pets. But if they're not, it's not a good choice,” said Collette Waters, Louisiana Rabbit Breeder's Association vice president. “People don't realize that rabbits have a lifespan of about 10 years, and they need to be constantly taken care of. They have to be groomed, their ears have to be cleaned, their fur brushed, their nails trimmed. It takes time.”</p><p>Every year starting just a few weeks after Easter Sunday, local animal shelters begin receiving calls of rabbits in need of homes after their host family realizes the pets don't fit their lifestyle.</p><p>“We get calls after Easter asking us to take in rabbits that people bought as gifts and then realized the amount of upkeep and time and expense needed to care for them,” said Tracy Lapeyrouse, director of My Heart's Desire animal shelter in Houma.</p><p>Owners may also abandon the rabbits when they find they grow from 2 pounds up to 20 pounds, depending on the breed, Waters said.</p><p>Smaller breeds can live in a 2-foot by 2-foot cage, she said, “but a giant breed would need a cage that's at least 7 feet long because they can grow to be over 22 inches long. Same thing with their food intake. If you've got a small breed, they eat around 3 ounces of food a day, but the larger breeds eat up to 12 ounces. It's like breeds of dogs. You have to consider what breed of rabbit you're buying,” she said.</p><p>Not everyone is against giving a rabbit for Easter.</p><p>“My kids received a rabbit as an Easter gift, and I don't think it's a bad idea to give them to kids as long as you talk to their parents first and get permission because they will likely be the ones taking care of the rabbit. My kids love theirs,” said Carol Price of Gray. </p><p>Staff Writer Jordan Gribble can be reached at 857-2208 or jordan.gribble@houmatoday.com. Follow him on Twitter @JGrib_Courier.</p>